Campsites in Herefordshire

The beautiful county of Herefordshire has much to recommend it for a staycation right here in the UK - starting with the fact that it's a walker's paradise with more trails than you could count. The best known, the Herefordshire Trail, takes you through lovely scenery and is great for spotting local wildlife, the Herefordshire Beacon being a particularly popular spot. The Worcestershire Beacon, Hergest Ridge, May Hill and Black Mountain are also overflowing with gorgeous scenery, a recipe for seriously itchy feet. 

The area is famed for its ancient castles, beginning with Goodrich Castle which dates back to the Norman times. Croft Castle is surrounded by ancient woodland and Eastnor Castle is a mock castle nested on a stunning lake, setting off the Herefordshire skyline gloriously.

Don’t Miss                                    

• Hereford Cathedral
• Mappa Mundi & Chained Library exhibitions
• Hampton Court Castle and Gardens
• Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre

A world in the city

For any first-timer, Hereford Cathedral is definitely one not to miss. Much of the cathedral dates from the 12^th century and it is home to the Hereford Mappa Mundi, as well as the world’s biggest surviving chained library. See the world as medieval citizens did thanks to their largest surviving map, which features mythical creatures such as the Blemmyes populating their version of the world's surface. 

Of course, anyone who's heard the tale of Henry VIII's many marriages will be well pleased with the 15^th century Hampton Court Castle and its superb gardens, stuffed with hidden stories of the past. There's a maze that'll have your head completely in a spin, but plenty of opulent surroundings to recover in. Investigate further in Croft Castle which has almost a thousand years of history behind it. The ruins of Goodrich Castle might not be intact but do build an incredibly detailed picture of medieval castle life - and your eyes will often stray to its luscious views across the River Wye.

Berrington Hall was designed by famous architect Henry Holland and features lovely parkland, gardens and a lake, while Brockhampton Estate is a picturesque farmed estate with an attractive timber-framed manor house that dates from the 14^th century.  

To give your itchy feet some time in the fresh outdoors, dawdle around Westonbury Mill Water Gardens, a truly enchanting place with its pretty landscapes and soft water features. The Weir Garden, lazing riverside is another picturesque garden where you'd miss out if you didn't picnic beneath the ancient trees. After that, a trip to Brobury House and Gardens offers year-round interest for nature lovers. If a space that's a little wilder and less cultivated suits your green fingers, Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum is a lovely setting and stuffed with sights such as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and local nature reserve. Or, if you need truly rolling hills and a lazy river that crosses two countries, escape to the Malvern Hills AONB and the Wye Valley AONB.

Dip into the area's history, and tasty tipples, at the Hereford Cider Museum which will show you all you need to know about the cider-making process. Hereford’s Waterworks Museum is your chance to see the UK’s oldest working triple-expansion steam engine, while a trip to the Time Machine Museum of Science Fiction brings to life iconic sci-fi such as Red Dwarf, Star Wars and Dr Who.

Right on the Black and White Trail sits the Old Chapel Gallery, packed with fine art and crafts. The Lion Gallery also displays contemporary craftwork and fine art and hosts regular exhibitions. The Apple Store Gallery hosts changing exhibitions throughout the year, while the Wobage Makers Gallery displays and sells contemporary ceramics, furniture and jewellery and hosts three exhibitions a year.

Unlimited wild activities

There'll be no standing around bored at Oaker Wood Leisure for children and adults alike. Quad biking, a high ropes course and clay pigeon shooting are just some of the activities in the centre's packed range of options. Keen to paintball or take the Leap of Faith - a trapeze jump from a totem pole? It's all at your fingertips. Mountain Mayhem also offers a host of fun activities including pony trekking, hovercraft driving, caving, mountain boarding, paintballing and quad biking, to name just a few. 

Those who are keen to experience canoeing, the River Wye is the spot, where your neighbours will be lapping waves and maybe even otters, eels and falcons. Grab a boating trip with Canoe the Wye which offers canoe hire from half a day to a week. Ross on Wye Canoe Hire Company also has a great range of canoe trips available, from half a day to four days.  

If it's engines over paddles for you, exhilarating Land Rover Experience will have your knuckles white with drives located in the stunning grounds of Eastnor Castle.

Alternatively for something more relaxing, a half day llama trek courtesy of Golden Valley Llamas is the kind of quirky curiosity that you'll be talking about for years to come. Visitors will get involved in all aspects of a llama trek, from haltering and grooming the llamas to walking them through beautiful rural settings.

Walkers have plenty of great routes to choose from in Herefordshire including the long-distance Herefordshire Trail and the Black and White Trail which leads you gently through areas packed with ancient and low ceilinged timber buildings. The Herefordshire Cider Route can be explored on foot or by bike, with many tasty stops along the way and if biking's what your heart's set on, the Hereford to Lulham Loop is a cosy 25 mile option to get your wheels moving.    

A maze of great family activities

The Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre is cute enough to delight the whole family. The higgledy-piggledy tribe of animals waiting to nuzzle you include owls, donkeys, cows, red squirrels, ducks, reindeer and horses, several of which are miniature and rare breeds. The choice of great animal experiences available at the farm is truly captivating, and full of adorable residents.

Newbridge Farm Park is a hands-on delight that offers pony rides, animal handling and feeding sessions, as well as deliberately bumpy tractor rides that will have kids giggling. The play areas will keep younger kids well entertained and a host of cute animals are ready to welcome everyone who pops in, including sheep, pigs, horses, alpacas, rabbits and goats to name a few.

A family outing to stunning Eastnor Castle, at the foot of the Malvern hills, is your time to saunter through the beautiful grounds or spot deer snacking in the woods. The castle's grand interiors are a feast for the eyes, while the little ones will be well occupied with the adventure playground, maze, junior assault course and nature trail. 

The Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean are just as magical as they sound, taking you into ancient iron mines in the bowels of the countryside. There's nine hauntingly lit caverns and a chance to go caving yourself. Then take a round the world trip at the Ralph Court Gardens Dragon Pool, where mesmerising gardens show you the world and a gothic rectory looms over you. Pass by Toad Hall in the Willow garden before walking through the Gunnera maze and relaxing in seats at the gardens' Victorian Court Theatre.

Discounted tickets are available when combining a visit to the aMazing Hedge Puzzle and the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo. The hedge is a great way for family members to test their navigation skills and even race each other to the centre, while the butterfly zoo is an indoor space (great for those drizzly days) that will have flocks of beautiful butterflies surrounding you.

If getting hands-on with clay sounds like fun, head to the Eastnor Pottery and The Flying Potter where families can express their creativity through clay modelling and potter’s wheel activities. The pottery painting studio Glazydayz is also a great choice for families who want to get arty together, with lots of pottery pieces to choose from, as well as other craft activities involving decoupage and foam clay.